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Since the first weekend of Advent, the Museum of European Cultures (MEK) in Berlin-Dahlem has been preparing young and old for this year’s Christmas season with a diverse programme of exhibitions and events.
In its collection, the MEK keeps numerous outstanding Christmas objects. In addition to the mechanical Christmas mountain from the Erzgebirge mountains, which can be admired throughout the year in the permanent collection presentation, the MEK’s current special exhibition focuses on stars: “Stars – not only at Christmas time” is dedicated to the star as a celestial body, as a mathematical figure, as a religious symbol and as an ornament. The exhibition illuminates well-known poinsettias such as the Herrnhuter star or the Sebnitzer star and explains their production and backgrounds. A “Star Path” as a signpost links the exhibition with objects in the collection presentation.
Mechanischer Weihnachtsberg, Detail, Erzgebirge, um 1885, © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Europäischer Kulturen / David von Becker
In its collection, the MEK keeps numerous outstanding Christmas objects. In addition to the mechanical Christmas mountain from the Erzgebirge mountains, which can be admired throughout the year in the permanent collection presentation, the MEK’s current special exhibition focuses on stars: “Stars – not only at Christmas time” is dedicated to the star as a celestial body, as a mathematical figure, as a religious symbol and as an ornament. The exhibition illuminates well-known poinsettias such as the Herrnhuter star or the Sebnitzer star and explains their production and backgrounds. A “Star Path” as a signpost links the exhibition with objects in the collection presentation.
Gwiazda kolędnicza – Drehstern der Sternsinger,
hergestellt von Józef Rapciak, Poręba Wielka/Polen, 2018,
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Europäischer Kulturen / Christian Krug
Also the current shop window in the MEK foyer presents itself festive: It explains a controversy, which has arisen in Sweden around the day of the holy Lucia on 13 December: Under the question “Who may (not) Lucia be? the shop window shows that festive rituals are constantly subject to change and reflect current social problems.
Sebnitzer Weihnachtsstern, Fa. Wirker, um 1965,
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Europäischer Kulturen / Michael Mohr
Admission to the MEK is free of charge for children and young people up to and including the age of 18.
The entrance fee for adults is 8 €, concessions 4 €.
PROGRAMME from 1 December 2018 to 6 January 2019
Saturday, 1 December 2018, 11 a.m.
Stars of the Advent and Christmas Seasons
The curator’s tour follows the “Star of Bethlehem” through the Christmas story and explains the variety of illuminated stars in Europe.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 4 € plus entrance fee
Saturday, 1 December 2018, 2 – 4 p.m.
How many teeth does a star have?
Workshop for children from 6 to 12 years old
What significance do stars have for people of different cultures? What do stars have in common with mathematics, astronomy, religion and everyday culture? In the exhibition, you will look at “stars” from new perspectives and get inspiration for your own models made of straw, paper, wire and glass.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 9 €
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 266 42 42 42, service@smb.museum
Sunday, 2 December 2017, 6 p.m.
Mo vene Natale – Neapolitan Christmas Concert
A cheerful and contemplative Advent evening for young and old with the singer Rachelina and her ensemble Die Maccheronies as well as the Italian children’s choir i Birichini and the shawm player Alberico Larato.
Meeting place: MEK-Foyer
Participation: 12 €, reduced 8 €, children from 4 to 8 years: 4 €, families up to 5 persons: 25 €
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 83 01 429
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 5:30 -6:30 p.m.
Sing-a-long: From “Oh you merry” to “Santa Lucia”
Under the guidance of Katja Papendieck and accompanied by Salwa Joram on the trumpet, everyone can sing along. Between the Christmas carols there is hot tea. Cookies are welcome. A short guided tour through the exhibition “Sterne – nicht nur zum Weihnachtszeit” (Stars – not only at Christmas time) is available in advance at 5 pm.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer
Participation free of charge, no registration required
Saturday, 8 December 2018, 2 – 4 p.m.
How many teeth does a star have?
Workshop for children from 6 to 12 years old
What significance do stars have for people of different cultures? What do stars have in common with mathematics, astronomy, religion and everyday culture? In the exhibition, you will look at “stars” from new perspectives and get inspiration for your own models made of straw, paper, wire and glass.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 9 €
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 266 42 42 42, service@smb.museum
Sunday, 9 December 2018, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stars of the Maya and Aztecs. Designing God’s Eye in Bright Colours
Workshop with Yariela Badtke for families with children 5 years and older
For the Maya and Aztecs of Central America the stars were of great importance. In the workshop you can discover a magical world of calendars, numbers, games and prophecies and create an eye of God with bright colors.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, participation: 9 €, reduced 6 €, plus 3 € material costs
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 50 59 0771, info@jugend-im-museum.de
Saturday, 15 December 2018, 2 – 4 p.m.
How many teeth does a star have?
Workshop for children from 6 to 12 years old
What significance do stars have for people of different cultures? What do stars have in common with mathematics, astronomy, religion and everyday culture? In the exhibition, you will look at “stars” from new perspectives and get inspiration for your own models made of straw, paper, wire and glass.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 9 €
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 266 42 42 42, service@smb.museum
Saturday, 15 December 2018, 4:30 p.m.
“Enlightenment” of the MEK Christmas tree
Also this year the traditional Christmas tree stands in the MEK foyer, this time decorated with stars to match the special exhibition.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer
Participation free of charge, no registration required
Sunday, 16 December 2018, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Straw stars reloaded! Create a variety of Christmas decorations from natural materials
Workshop for families with children 5 years and older
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 9 €, concessions 6 €,
plus 3 € material costs
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 50 59 0771, info@jugend-im-museum.de
Saturday, 22 December 2018, 2 – 4 p.m.
How many teeth does a star have?
Workshop for children from 6 to 12 years old
What significance do stars have for people of different cultures? What do stars have in common with mathematics, astronomy, religion and everyday culture? In the exhibition, you will look at “stars” from new perspectives and get inspiration for your own models made of straw, paper, wire and glass.
Meeting point: MEK-Foyer, Participation: 9 €
Limited number of participants, registration: (030) 266 42 42 42, service@smb.museum
Sunday, 6 January 2019, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Exchange market for Christmas presents
Didn’t get the right thing? We invite visitors to exchange their unloved Christmas presents with each other.
Meeting point: MEK foyer
Participation free of charge, no registration required
SPECIAL OPENING HOURS ON HOLIDAYS
Monday, 24 December 2018: closed
Tuesday, 25 December 2018: 11 – 18 o’clock
Wednesday, 26 December 2018: 11 – 18 o’clock
Monday, 31 December 2018: closed
Tuesday, 1 January 2019: 12 – 18 o’clock
WHERE? Museum Europäischer Kulturen, Arnimallee 25, 14195 Berlin-Dahlem
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Image caption: Illuminated stars from Saxony, Sebnitzer, Annaberger, Marienberger and Herrnhuter stars, 2010–2017, © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Europäischer Kulturen / Christian Krug
Christmas at MEK 2018 – Museum Europäischer Kulturen | Museums in Berlin – ART at Berlin
